Monitor Audo RS8 or Infinity Beta50/Primus360 + sub?

[sabernar]

I'm looking to spend between $500-$1000 for a new set of front floor speakers, and I was wondering which setup would be better to have, the MA RS8 or the Beta 50s plus a subwoofer? (Or the Infinity Primus 360/362 + sub)

(Currently I have an old pair of Infinity floor speakers which are dying, but I have no subwoofer, so I am a bit acclimated to not having a sub, if that's any help.)

Any advice?

 

[billy p]

If you can get MA rs8 for less then a grand, you've done well.

 

[angstadt530]

If you can get MA rs8 for less then a grand, you've done well.

A pair of RS6s retails for $999, so I have a feeling that the RS8s are a few hundred more, but then again, that's MSRP, so you might have found a good deal on them.

I'm looking for a good pair of towers in that price range as well. I sort of have it narrowed down to the RS6 and Aperion Audio's Intimus 633-T. Both are the same exact price, and while the Monitor is better known for their performance, the Aperion's customer service seems to be bar none, which makes me lean toward them. You should check out the 633-T as well. I don't know how they compare to the Infinity's and Monitor's, but with their 30-day return policy you can't go wrong! If you want more low end for the same price, get a pair of 533-T floor-standers, and use the left over money for a nice budget sub from a company such as Hsu.

 

[Nick250]

I'm looking to spend between $500-$1000 for a new set of front floor speakers, and I was wondering which setup would be better to have, the MA RS8 or the Beta 50s plus a subwoofer? (Or the Infinity Primus 360/362 + sub)

(Currently I have an old pair of Infinity floor speakers which are dying, but I have no subwoofer, so I am a bit acclimated to not having a sub, if that's any help.)

Any advice?

Have you auditioned them yet? I ask, because you made no mention of it and that's where the rubber meets the road. On the other point I use a sub, but that's personal preference and also depends on how low the speakers play and if you watch movies with LFE content.

Nick

 

[zumbo]

Lower-end Monitor Audio with a sub. Gonna need a sub.

A high quality bookshelf with a sub will outperform a low quality tower with a sub. (speaking in terms of even money)

A high quality bookshelf with a sub will outperform a high quality tower without a sub. (speaking in terms of even money)

I wouldn't consider low-end towers with a sub on a budget. Bookshelves are a better option. (speaking in terms of even money)

 

[angstadt530]

Lower-end Monitor Audio...

Like the bronze series? Or do you mean like the RS bookshelf?

A high quality bookshelf with a sub will outperform a high quality tower without a sub. (speaking in terms of even money)

This seems hard to believe, but maybe I misunderstand? I original thought you meant that a bookshelf sounds better than a tower, but I think you're saying that since bookshelves cost less than towers, an equally priced bookshelf will sound pretty darn good. Correct? So then if one has a limited budget, he/she should buy a bookshelf speaker system because it would have more "bang for the buck"?

So if I got all that right, what bookshelves would you recommend that would blow away towers in this price range?

 

[sabernar]

Like the bronze series? Or do you mean like the RS bookshelf?



This seems hard to believe, but maybe I misunderstand? I original thought you meant that a bookshelf sounds better than a tower, but I think you're saying that since bookshelves cost less than towers, an equally priced bookshelf will sound pretty darn good. Correct? So then if one has a limited budget, he/she should buy a bookshelf speaker system because it would have more "bang for the buck"?

So if I got all that right, what bookshelves would you recommend that would blow away towers in this price range?

Yes, can you give us an example or two of 'good' bookshelf speakers plus a sub that would be better than an equivalently priced set of floor speakers? For example, which bookshelf/sub would be better than a pair of MA RS6?

 

[mike c]

RS bookshelf with a sub will run circles around an rs6 without a sub.

 

[Nick250]

Yes, can you give us an example or two of 'good' bookshelf speakers plus a sub that would be better than an equivalently priced set of floor speakers? For example, which bookshelf/sub would be better than a pair of MA RS6?

I would think most bookshelf speakers combined an X-Sub ($200) or Hsu or Rocket will sound better than the tower version of the same speaker. I have done no tests, but it would be my hands down my choice to go with bookshelf and a sub of a particular speaker line rather than the tower version.

Nick

 

[sabernar]

but it would be my hands down my choice to go with bookshelf and a sub of a particular speaker line rather than the tower version.

Nick

Is this a commonly held belief in the audiophile world? Or is this something that people debate over? Sorry for the ignorance, but I'm pretty new to this.

Another related question: would the bookshelf+sub combo work better than the floor speakers for both music and movies? Or does it tend to work better for one over the other?

Thanks again.

EDIT: and another question. If an X-Sub is just $200, what if I paired it with a pair of RS6 floor speakers? Would that be worth it?

 

[billy p]

As stated above and all money been equal. A set of monitors & sub would almost in every case have better lower extension(from sub) and imaging(from bookshelf) then a set of floors. Even at higher price point the same should hold true. For music IMO without a sub the floors are the way to go. However, most music cannot achieve the same bass(LFE) as do movie sound tracks and floors speakers were not designed for those frequencies.

Hope this helps, billy p

 

[zumbo]

Again.

A set of bookshelf speakers with a sub will kill a set of towers without a sub.

EX:

RS1's with a powered sub

vs.

RS8's or 6's without a powered sub.

Movie, or audio.

All money being equal.

 

[angstadt530]

RS bookshelf with a sub will run circles around an rs6 without a sub.

...But then an RS6 with sub would run circles around an RS1 with sub, right?

So the question is, would a higher quality bookshelf than the RS1 (equally priced to the RS6) with a sub be a better value than the RS6 with a sub?

 

[mike c]

...But then an RS6 with sub would run circles around an RS1 with sub, right?

by specs and theory it would be an improvement since there are a lot more drivers dividing the work.
but I don't think there's gonna be a spectacular difference.

So the question is, would a higher quality bookshelf than the RS1 (equally priced to the RS6) with a sub be a better value than the RS6 with a sub?

I would still say the more expensive bookshelf would be better than the rs6 (both with sub)

 

[billy p]

...But then an RS6 with sub would run circles around an RS1 with sub, right?


So the question is, would a higher quality bookshelf than the RS1 (equally priced to the RS6) with a sub be a better value than the RS6 with a sub?

1- Cost will not be equal?
2-At some point the sub will take over and the advantage would go to the better speaker like the MA GS10 over the RS6 if cost is equal.

 

[sabernar]

Well, a pair of Monitor Audio Gold GS10 cost over $1100. A pair of Monitor Audio Silver RS1 cost about $500. So the price difference is huge between those two levels of bookshelf speaker. A pair of MA Silver RS6 floor speakers can probably be had for $800 or so - right in between the two sets of MA bookshelf speakers. So here is another question:

pair of RS1 bookshelf speakers + a more expensive sub ~$400 (any suggestions?)

or

pair if RS6 floor speakers + a less expensive sub ~$200 (X-Sub)

 

[billy p]

MA rs1's and a better sub!! The sub will make the most difference.

EX: if your MA rs6 costs $800.00, an equal costing bookshelf would be better with the same sub.

 

[sabernar]

MA rs1's and a better sub!! The sub will make the most difference.

EX: if your MA rs6 costs $800.00, an equal costing bookshelf would be better with the same sub.

Any suggestions on a sub for ~$300-400 to go with the RS1's?

I took a look at the difference between an RS1 and an RS6 and, besides the size of the cabinet, which I'm sure makes a decent sized difference in the sound that htey produce, the only difference is that '1 x 6" C-CAM® Bass Drive Unit'. While the size of the unit, which I'm sure makes some difference, the fact that the subwoofer would have a 1x12" driver compared to the RS6's 1x6" bass unit would logically make up for the difference in cabinet size. That being said, the RS W12 sub is over $700 and is way out of my price range. The Rocket UFW-10 sub is $600. Hsu subs seem to range from anywhere between $300 all the way up $700 (and, of course, more for the upper echalon ones). Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[billy p]

You should go out and listen. I know MA make fine speakers and I'm not trying to change your mind, but go out and listen to a few mfg's. Two of the subs mfg's you've mentioned get lost of play on this forum. If it were my choice! http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2.html or http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

 

[Nick250]

Two excelled suggestions. I will add another. The ULW-10 that can be had for $400 bucks if ordered through the link in the Audioholics review. It would be great for music and and a small foot print. I have it's big brother, the UFW-10 and really like it.
http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/OnixRocketULW-10Reviewp1.php

That being said, if you watch a lot of movies, the SVS Billy recommended is the no contest winner in the low frequencies category in this price range. Note that it's really big though.

Nick